Peter Kaluma mocks Natembeya over industries saying govt don’t build factories
By Kiprono Keileb, January 3, 2026Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has taken a swipe at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over his recent remarks on industrialisation, saying governments do not build factories and should instead focus on creating an environment that attracts investors.
In a statement shared on X on Saturday, January 2026, the outspoken legislator challenged Natembeya’s calls for industries to be set up across the country instead of the affordable housing project to create jobs, arguing that such demands misunderstand how investment and industrial growth actually happen.
Kaluma questioned Natembeya’s understanding of how industries are established, insisting that factories are not government projects but ventures driven by private investors responding to a favourable business climate.
“This guy doesn’t know that industries are built by businesses/ investors, not governments,” Kaluma said.
Roles of counties in development
Kaluma argue that the real responsibility of a county government lies in creating conditions that make investors want to put their money into a region. He suggested that noise and public pressure are not substitutes for sound policy, infrastructure, and stability that businesses look for before committing capital.
“He also doesn’t know that Trans Nzoi County Government should attract investors by providing a conducive business environment, not his persistent noise!” Kaluma added..
Kaluma’s remarks also come against the backdrop of rising political temperatures, with leaders increasingly scrutinising each other’s statements as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
George Natembeya on why industries and not affordable houses
Natembeya said residents of Trans Nzoia are more concerned about jobs and livelihoods than housing projects funded through compulsory deductions.
Speaking about young people struggling to find employment, the governor argued that sustainable jobs, not housing levies, should be the priority of government policy. He said industries would empower citizens to earn their own income and build homes independently, rather than rely on state-driven housing schemes.
“Sisi watu hapa Trans Nzoia hatutaki mambo ya affordable housing, sisi tunataka industries, watuletee industries iajiri watoto wetu, tujenge industries watu wapate kazi na wajenge nyumba wenyewe. Saa hizi watu wanafanya kazi ya serikali wanakatwa pesa ya housing levy, lakini hio nyumba tena unaenda kununua. Umejenga na pesa yetu tena tunaenda kununua. We know exactly what we are doing, we are not stupid,” Natembeya stated